How Remote Work Affects IT Security over the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for relaxation, family gatherings, and some much-needed downtime. But for IT teams, it’s also a time of heightened concern as a remote work continues to affect cybersecurity in significant ways. As businesses increasingly offer remote and hybrid work options, the challenge of securing sensitive data from potential threats becomes more complex, especially during the holiday season when people are less vigilant and cyber threats are more active. Here’s a closer look at how remote work affects IT security over the holidays and some best practices for keeping your business protected.
1. Increased Use of Personal Devices
With remote work more common, employees often rely on personal devices to stay connected. Over the holidays, the convenience of checking in from a smartphone, tablet, or personal laptop can lead to increased data exposure, especially if these devices aren’t as secure as corporate-issued ones. Personal devices may lack antivirus software, firewalls, and other security measures, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.
Best Practice: Encourage employees to use company-approved devices or ensure they have the latest security software installed on personal devices. Remind them of the importance of secure passwords and the risks of public Wi-Fi networks.
2. Vulnerability to Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks spike during the holiday season, as scammers know people are more distracted and may be shopping online or responding to year-end emails. A remote workforce is particularly vulnerable to phishing because employees may be less vigilant while working outside the office or when hurriedly clearing out their inboxes before holiday time off.
Best Practice: Regularly remind employees about the dangers of phishing and provide updated examples of current scams. It can also help to implement email filtering software and train employees on spotting suspicious emails.
3. Public Wi-Fi and Unsecured Networks
During the holidays, employees may choose to work from various locations like airports, coffee shops, or even family members’ homes, often relying on unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi networks can be especially dangerous because they’re more susceptible to attacks where hackers intercept sensitive data.
Best Practice: Encourage employees to avoid public Wi-Fi when handling sensitive information. Many companies have begun implementing mobile device management systems that add another layer of security for devices accessing corporate data from remote locations.
4. Reduced IT Staff Availability
IT departments often run with minimal staffing during the holidays, which can delay the response to any security incidents that arise. This reduced availability increases the risk of prolonged security breaches, especially if employees are unaware of a data leak or compromise.
Best Practice: Make sure your IT team is prepared with automated threat detection systems that alert them to unusual activity. Encourage employees to report anything suspicious immediately, and have a backup plan for escalating urgent security issues during the holiday period.
5. Data Sharing with Unauthorized Users
During the holidays, employees might be more inclined to share work devices with family members or friends for convenience, especially when travelling. This can inadvertently expose corporate data to unauthorized users. Even well-meaning family members might accidentally delete or modify important data, creating security or operational risks.
Best Practice: Remind employees to keep work devices separate and password-protected at all times. Encourage them to log out of all accounts when not in use and avoid using devices for anything outside of work.
6. Security Fatigue and Complacency
The holiday season brings added stress, and employees may feel “security fatigue”––a state in which people became desensitized to security warnings and best practices due to constant exposure. This fatigue can lead to risky behaviors, such as ignoring security updates, using weak passwords, or bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA) when possible.
Best Practice: Combat security fatigue by keeping communications concise, focusing on the most critical reminders, and reinforcing why these steps are necessary. Reward employees who follow best practices and make security part of the company culture year-round.
7. Holiday-Themed Scams and Malware
Cybercriminals know that the holiday season brings specific types of online behaviors, such as shopping for gifts, booking travel, and giving to charities. Consequently, holiday-themed phishing scams and malware are on the rise. These scams can target employees directly, potentially giving attackers access to corporate systems if they’re successful.
Best Practice: Make employees aware of holiday-specific threats and conduct a quick refresher course on safe browsing habits and avoiding risky links. Companies can also reinforce the importance of never using work email for personal shopping or other online activities, which can increase exposure.
The holiday season should be a time of relaxation and joy, not worry over potential cyber threats. With the increasing prevalence of remote work, IT security challenges are here to stay, but taking a proactive approach can mitigate many risks. Educating your workforce, investing in the right tools, and staying vigilant are essential to protecting your organization from holiday cyber threats.
With these steps, your business can embrace the flexibility of remote work while keeping data secure––allowing both employees and IT teams to enjoy a more peaceful holiday season.
